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About the Historical Studies - Social Science Library

The Historical Studies - Social Science Library contains about 100,000 volumes and has subscriptions to about 1,000 journals. The library is strongest in classical studies, ancient history and archaeology. It also contains basic document collections, reference works, and important secondary works of scholarship in most fields of history and the social sciences. The journal collection is extensive, and fairly complete runs exist back to the founding of the Institute in 1930. Wallace K. Harrison designed the library building at the invitation of J. Robert Oppenheimer. It was completed in 1965. The library is also home to the Shelby White and Leon Levy Archives Center, the Archives of the Institute.

Staff are pleased to assist you, please feel free to ask questions and make suggestions. We hope this document will provide a useful introduction to some of our policies and services.

Who may use the library?

Borrowing privileges are extended to Faculty, Members, Visitors, and Staff of the Institute for Advanced Study. Materials may be used in the library by spouses/companions of Institute Faculty, Members, Visitors, Staff, and Princeton University Faculty.

Study space

Reading desks are available in the library for individuals who do not have offices. Please remember to sign out books placed on these tables. Library staff will help you reserve a desk. The HS-SS Library is part of the Institute's wireless network, access is available on both floors.

Interlibrary Loan Services

Interlibrary loan is available to Members, Visitors, Faculty and their spouses/companions. We will make all attempts to place interlibrary loan requests within the next working day after the request has been submitted. Exceptions may occur if there are long lists or for more challenging titles. Should a request take longer than nine working days to fill, we will notify the requester with an update.

The Institute is a member of the OCLC Research Library Partnership and a SHARES partner. We do not borrow from Princeton University Library through our Interlibrary Loan system and instead offer two services for locating or borrowing books from the University. Please see our services description under the section for Princeton University Library. Please do not use Princeton University's Interlibrary Loan system, requests submitted via their system will not be processed and delays may result.

What may be borrowed?

Books and bound journals circulate to offices. Unbound journals do not circulate and may not be removed from the library. There is a borrowing limit of 75 volumes per user. The HS-SS Library has a limited number of microfilm readers (and one fiche reader), which may be borrowed for use in patrons' offices.

Borrowing procedures

Borrowers sign and date two book cards and place them in a slot at the circulation desk. Borrowed items may not be taken off campus or to your home/apartment.

Catalogues

The Institute's online catalogue address is: http://library.hs.ias.edu/, there are many links to it from the library's web pages. The online catalog contains most titles in the collection and all titles processed after 1983. All newly received books and books on order may be found in the online catalogue. New books are located in the acquisitions office and may be borrowed.

The HS-SS Library card catalogue is organized into two parts, old and new. Materials published after 1983 are listed in the new card catalogue and in the online catalogue.

Loan Period

The borrowing period is the academic year. Members must clear their borrowing records both at the Institute and at Princeton University before leaving.

A self-service book photocopier and a microfilm copier/scanner are both available for use in the HS-SS Library. Additional photocopiers are located at the copy center in the lower level of Building B, 2nd floor of Fuld Hall and on the first floor of the West Building.

The HS-SS Library has computers (PC and Macs), slide scanners, microformat scanners, document scanners, and an automatic film scanner available for your use. Please see the library staff if you would like assistance with locating peripherals or getting started. In addition, there are some databases which are only available through the HS-SS Library's computers including the Siku Quanshu.

There is a room designated for use by the Institute community in Firestone Library, Room 3-9-C, see an IAS librarian for details and access. http://library.princeton.edu/sites/default/files/3-floor.pdf. Marquand Library will reserve a book shelf for usage while in that library., please see the Marquand Librarians to reserve a shelf.

Library Services related to Princeton University Library which will save you time

Princeton University Library books which are not recalled may be returned through the HS-SS Library book drop. Books are shipped out on Thursdays.

Library staff go to Firestone Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They will bring books back to the Institute campus for short term consultation or pull books leaving them at the Firestone Library Circulation Desk under your name for longer term loans. The longer term loan period extends to next June 15!

Staff will also scan articles and chapters for you.. Each user may request up to six books and six scans each Tuesday or Thursday. The form for these services is online. http://library.ias.edu/hs/ias/Firestone

Princeton Theological Seminary Library

Princeton Theological Seminary Library offers open access to their collections, but if you would like to charge out a book you will need their library card. They will need to see your Institute ID as well as a another form of identification.